Bonkers Giraffe: 2011-08-07

Wednesday 10 August 2011

New iPhone & iPad App.. Critteroos.. wow!

Check out this super new application for the iphone or ipad - it's called Critteroos.. and yes it's educational and yet fantatastic fun for your kids. Aimed at ages 3 to 8 years this interactive app features many pictures of animals which you can mix and match and even print out your creations if you want to!

This new app - Critteroos is the brainchild of the famed designer 'Clement Mok'. Critteroos is

Gorgeous Organic Rabbit Rattles - We just love these!

A must have... These are just so cute these beautiful stuffed toys are double-duty: inside each soft rabbit is a wood-bead rattle that sounds like pebbles rolling in the surf. This sound is gentle on baby's

Joke Corner!

Q:How do fish go into business?
A:They start on a small scale!

Q:What do computer experts do at weekends?

A: Go for a disk drive!

Q: What did the boy banana say to the girl banana?

A: You have a lot of appeal!

Q: Why did the jellybean jump off the cliff?
A: Because he wanted to be a smarty!

Q:A kid comes home from his first day at school. Mum asks, “What did you learn today?”A:The kid replies, “Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow.”

Q: What did they award the man that invented the door knocker?

A: The No-bell Prize!

Q: What do get when you cross a chilli pepper, steam shovel, and a chihuahua? A: A hot, diggety dog!

Top Tips for Great Simple Kids Smoothie Recipes!

The great thing about smoothies is, you can be creative and discover what your favorite flavor is. One of our favorite flavors at our house is mango strawberry. Our least favorite was when we added a grapefruit including the white part. It turned out very bitter. (we should have known) Next time we will cut out the grapefruit by sections, then blend in our smoothie!

The secret to really great smoothies is in the blender. Your best option, and most economically in the long run, is to get a heavy duty blender. I have a Vita Mix and I use it at least once a day not just for smoothies though I use mine for chopping vegetables in cooking. Cream soups are great made in the blender. Shaved ice is fun and easy with the Vita mix. It has been an investment that has really paid for itself.

Add cream of coconut to a recipe.

Experiment with different juices including vegetable juices.

Try adding a handful of carrots or celery to the smoothie recipe. Once it is blended nobody will know it is an extra healthy smoothie.

Add up to 1 tablespoon sugar or honey for a sweeter flavor.

Add oat bran, almonds or wheat germ for an extra burst of nutrition.

If using canned fruit include the juice for extra flavor.

Add 1 tablespoon peanut butter to your smoothie recipe.

Substitute milk for juice or juice for the milk in any recipe.

To make any simple smoothie recipe thinner add more juice or milk. To make any simple smoothie recipe thicker add more fruit.